They explored various art styles and mediums, and were prompted to look closely at landscapes, abstract paintings, sculptural works and Native American art. In groups, they experienced the collection through interactive sensory exploration using sight, sound and touch. This holistic program focuses on hands-on experiences, engagement and flexibility navigating the Museum environment in both the galleries and KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab.
Inspired by art in The Rockwell’s collection, students created mixed media, process-based pieces with their art teachers back in their classrooms. The individual and group projects encouraged teamwork, creative thinking and developing fine motor skills.
Class Projects & Collection Inspiration:
- Zoe Fabian’s middle school students created mobiles inspired by George E. Forster, Still Life with Fruit and Marie Watt, Blanket Stories: Western Door, Salt Sacks and Three Sisters. They focused on food, natural elements and repurposing found objects. Each student’s mobile tells their gratitude story with a written tag mirroring the community-written story tags displayed in Watt’s blanket tower.
- Sharron Holland’s high school students created mixed media collage paintings inspired by Sam Gilliam, Stack. Students experimented with color, paint application and texture. They stitched together pieces of paper to assemble their own layered artworks in the style of Gilliam.
- Victoria Riina’s students at Severn Elementary School created paper tree sculptures inspired by nature and forest scenes visible in many of the works on view at The Rockwell. Students traced root systems and sculpted clay nests in tree branches. They focused on how trees are connected through overlapping roots and how they are home to many animals and insects.
- Megan Wukovitz’s high school students were inspired by artist Romare Bearden and his love of jazz music. They listened to jazz music in the classroom and focused on his use of silhouettes and building through collage. Students incorporated painted paper, their favorite instruments, their own silhouettes and handprints into their personal collages.